Please Help- Double Mastectomy or Radiation

MrsSooty · April 2015

I am 58 and in Feb was diagnosed with breast cancer in both breasts. In total, 2 possibly 3 sites of invasive cancer were found plus DCIS at another site. They were very small and grade 1 and grade 2, considered not very aggressive. They have been removed through lumpectomies.

My two sisters have also had post menopausal breast cancer but a genetic assessment suggests our cancers are not BRCA1 or 2, but does not eliminate that it may be some other genetic predisposition. I have dense breasts that are very difficult to screen. Current advice seems to be that radiation followed by hormones is the way to go, and cancer is unlikely to return. But I am wondering if a double mastectomy will reduce the risk of another cancer forming somewhere in the breast tissue (but there are extras risks with such operations) and missing such an event in screening. I'm also having trouble piecing together the statistics for my particular circumstances. Any comments would assist as I need to decide over the next few days.

Moderators · April 2015

Hi MrsSooty. We're sorry for the circumstances that brought you here, but wanted to say welcome!

Until other members come along to help with their personal experiences and advice, you'll find reliable information in our main site, like in the article Mastectomy vs. Lumpectomy where you'll learn more on deciding factors, advantages and disadvantages of both treatments, and more. We hope it helps you make a decision.

Best,

The Mods

Ridley · April 2015

MrsS - have you had an appointment with your radiation oncologist? I had multiple areas of idc as well as Ilc and dcis, etc, on one side and my RO said there was not good data on the effectiveness of radiation in cases like mine. That along with some other factors led me to decide on a double mast. No regrets. I had diep reconstruction.

Sunflowercat · April 2015

hi MrsSooty. I'm so sorry about your diagnosis. Finding it in both breasts, multiple sites and both sisters having had BC. Wow! There's definitely some genetic factor they have yet to discover. To answer your question you really will have to consider the advantages and disadvantages. Yes, the outcomes for Lx and rads are the same for BMX. Read up about both and make a pros/cons list. (That's what I did). Will the constant screenings cause you more stress and anxiety? Or are you ok with that? Will it affect your quality of life? Are you able to take the time needed to convalesce after the BMX surgery? Do you want to deal with reconstruction? You certainly don't have to. It's by no means an easy surgery, but many of us have done it and have no regrets...even though our experiences may include difficulties and set backs. Talk to your sisters and see how they feel about their decisions. Maybe attend a local support group. I'm sure other ladies will be along shortly to share their experience and wisdom.

I had a BMX because my tiny breast would have been so disfigured and rads would have made it difficult to reconstruct. I was a mess when first diagnosed and never wanted to deal with the stress of waiting and not knowing again, ever! I was only 39, have three small children and discovered that I'm pretty vain during this journey. I wanted to get something out of this mess, so bigger breasts were my prize. My husband works from home so he could be here to help me. I had family fly in and help as well as a massive network of friends to support me in the way of meals, child care, etc... It was no picnic, but they made it much easier for me. I couldn't have done it without them. I'm happy with my decision and my new foobs.

MrsSooty · April 2015

Thank you all for you responses. I will check with my radiation oncologist regarding the effectiveness of radiation for my cancers which are on multiple breast sites. I am also doing my 'for and against' list, and trying to weight the importance of each item for me. I am having trouble finding statistics on the importance of some items, such as the effectiveness of alternative treatments for preventing recurrence when found at multiple sites or with family history (not BRCA). I am thinking I might get an additional independent medical opinion. Again thank you. I didn't realise how hard it would be to make such choices, but as someone told me, it's an important window of opportunity for me that will pass, and I should make sure I understand and agree with the decision as much as I can.

Sunflowercat · April 2015

Ask your MO for the statistics. Not sure about yours, but mine is all about the statistics! He prints me out the latest research at every appointment. I might need a bigger binder to contain all the info he keeps giving me.

ritza · April 2015

Hi, after going through radiation and ending up getting cancer on the other side, I ended up having a double masectomy anyway. This involved many surgeries and the

damage radiation did to the radiated side affected the outcome and caused permanent tissue damage, along with possible lung damage. In doing it over again I would

have gone for the double mastectomy. Good Luck!

grammakathy · April 2015

You should do what is right for you. A double mastectomy was right for me. If I had doubts, I would err on the side of the least invasive surgery. More can be done later. My deciding factor was that I wanted to go through this one time only, if possible. I wanted to know I had taken the most aggressive approach to avoid a recurrence.

Please Help- Double Mastectomy or Radiation

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